Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Albany, NY - The City of Albany has announced the full schedule of events planned for the 67th Annual Albany Tulip Festival.

The Tulip Festival is Albany’s signature spring event, featuring annual traditions rooted in the city’s rich Dutch heritage, nearly one hundred artisans selling their handmade crafts, a fine arts show, delicious food, the KidZone family fun destination, two stages of world-class live entertainment and, of course, thousands of tulips in 150 different varieties! It all takes place in Washington Park, the historic, 81-acre “crown jewel” of the City.

Since Mayor Erastus Corning II read the first Tulip Festival Proclamation on May 14, 1949, the Mother’s Day weekend celebration has grown into one of the Northeast’s biggest and most beloved yearly events. Featuring the area’s best up-and-coming local artists and an ever-increasing focus on sustainability, The Tulip Festival continues to honor Albany’s 400-year history while looking ahead to its future. As always, this event is free and open to the public.

“GO GREEN” MARKET Presented by the City of Albany Department of General Services, this area highlights recycling tips from the Capital Region Recycling Partnership, information from Albany County Cornell Cooperative Extension and Albany County Soil and Water District, and vendors sharing energy-efficient resources, “green” ideas and more.

CANVAS, CORKS & FORKS (Saturday only)Professional art instructors from Schenectady’s Canvas, Corks & Forks will guide you step-by-step in the creation of your very own masterpiece! All ages welcome, beer and wine available with ID (ticket fees apply).

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TULIP MANIA MUSIC PROJECT6 p.m., Albany Public Library Main Branch Albany History Room (161 Washington Ave)Local history leaps to life as Capital Region musicians unearth the long-lost, 62-year-old Albany Tulip Festival song, “When Tulips Bloom Again,” and perform their own Albany-inspired original music. The Library’s fascinating collection of Tulip Fest history will be on display as part of this new event. Free and open to the public. Find more information at bit.ly/tulipmaniamusicproject.

FRIDAY, MAY 8CARILLON CONCERT11:30 a.m. – noon, outside Albany City HallDr. Charles Semowich performs a special musical program on Albany City Hall’s historic 1927 carillon, a unique instrument consisting of 49 bells that range in size from 27 to 11,200 pounds.

STREET SCRUBBINGNoon, State & Lodge StreetsThe traditional Dutch ceremony of scrubbing the streets clean before a big celebration has served as the official kickoff to Tulip Festival weekend for 67 years. This unique Albany event will include Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s Tulip Festival opening proclamation, and a procession from City Hall featuring a bagpiper from the Sons & Daughters of Erin Pipe Band, the Dutch Settlers Society (in full traditional Dutch dress), local scout troops and the 2015 Tulip Queen finalists.

TULIP FESTIVAL LUNCHEON12:30 p.m., 60 State StreetA farewell and thank you to 2014 Albany Tulip Queen Caitlin Whelan and her Court. Proceeds from the Tulip Festival Luncheon will benefit the Mayor’s Literacy Campaign via the Tulip Fund at the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. Tickets are required; emailtulipluncheon@gmail.com or call518.331.3440 to purchase.

SATURDAY, MAY 9DRAWING UP CENTRAL 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Central Avenue & Quail StreetThe City of Albany and the Central Avenue Business Improvement District present this community-wide event featuring artists from all over the region competing for cash and prizes in a sidewalk chalk art contest in the heart of Central Avenue’s Midtown Grid. For more information, call 518.462.4300 or visitwww.centralbid.com.ROYAL TULIP BALL 6:30 p.m., 90 State Street EventsAn elegant evening of dining and dancing to honor the new Tulip Queen & Court. Proceeds benefit Capital Repertory Theatre. Tickets are required; to purchase, contact Capital Rep at 518.382.3884 x 187.

Special ground rules in effect: No outside alcoholNo glass containersNo animals or pets, including dogsNo recording of performances

All City of Albany parks are now tobacco-free; check www.albanyevents.org for more information on this legislation.

# # #

Confidentiality Notice: This fax/e-mail transmission, with accompanying records, is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information belonging to the sender, including individually identifiable health information subject to the privacy and security provisions of HIPAA. This information may be protected by pertinent privilege(s), e.g., attorney-client, doctor-patient, HIPAA etc., which will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any examination, analysis, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, sharing, or use of the information in this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message and associated documents in error, please notify the sender immediately for instructions. If this message was received by e-mail, please delete the original message

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Cohoes Common Council Member Fred Turcotte announced today that he will not run for re-election. He cites "personal attacks" and a "hostile environment" on the Common Council.

This is his full statement:

After much thought, I have decided not to run for re-election in the Second Ward. Recent changes in leadership on the Common Council have led to a very negative, and hostile environment that I do not want to be a party to. Since the change in Council leadership, I’ve seen only ego-driven, self-serving, spiteful, attacks on the current administration. This is not how I operate, I am not driven by any political aspirations. Furthermore, I cannot condone the personal attacks, that are taking place from within our Common Council. There are better, more professional, ways to enact change and improve performance. I do not believe that this type of behavior can result in positive change for the city moving forward. We’ve worked too hard, for too long, in an effort to shine a positive light on our city. The perception of our city is much improved in the Capital District because of this joint effort, and this type of behavior will only erode that hard work.

Another reason for my decision is that I am a strong believer in term limits for ALL elected officials at every level of government. I think if we had term limits, we could eliminate a large percentage of the corruption we now see at every level. The abuse of campaign funds, even if not illegal, is totally unethical, immoral, and wrong. Not to mention the real chargeable corruption. Term limits could also help improve the dysfunction of government. Career politicians making every decision based on the next election cycle is self-serving and an ineffective way to govern and lead.

I am a business owner, my only reason for running for office in the first place was to bring positive change to the city. I wanted to further help the turn-around in the City of Cohoes, that I was already participating in behind the scenes for years. I served in unpaid positions on the IDA and CLDC for years before running for office. I am a strong supporter of the community, and have given back to virtually every community organization that walked through my business door for 25 years. The PATRICIA A. TURCOTTE SCHOLARSHIP FUND has given out over $23,000 in cash awards to local high school seniors and organizations since the 2004 death of my wife.

Many good things have happened in the city since I opened my business here 25 years ago. Hopefully, I helped in some small way to move the city forward. It’s time for a fresh look at how to improve the Second Ward, my only hope is that whoever runs, does it for the right reasons. I have no respect for self-serving, “wanna-be” career politicians, looking for a paycheck and a pension. The city needs a positive atmosphere and people working together to keep the successful run going that we’ve enjoyed over the last 16 years. There is still a lot of work to be done.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

The Junior League of Troy (JLT) will be hosting a Kids in the Kitchen event to encourage children and their families to make healthier lifestyle choices. Participants will engage in a variety of educational and physical activities, including tasting of local varieties of apples and learning about healthy portion sizes. All children will have an opportunity to pick a "just right" book and JLT members will read to children to help inspire a love of reading. The JLT has partnered with the Carroll Hill community to host the event during parent-teacher conferences as a way to offer after school support. Families will leave with knowledge, resources and inspiration to prioritize health and wellness in their everyday lives.

This event is offered by Junior League of Troy members and to the community of Carroll Hill Elementary School. The books provided to the children have been generously donated by the people of Troy to inspire children to develop a life-long love of reading.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Albany, NY – The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) issued an emergency summary suspension of the Washington Avenue Armory, at 195 Washington Avenue in Albany. The suspension was ordered by Members of the SLA, Chairman Dennis Rosen, Commissioner Jeanique Greene and Commissioner Kevin Kim at a special meeting of the Full Board on Monday, March 16, 2015. Effective immediately, no alcohol may be served or consumed on the premises.

On March 11, 2015, the SLA charged the Albany Armory with six violations following the riot on March 6th. Charges include operating a disorderly premises, assault, unregistered security staff and becoming a focal point for police attention, as the Armory’s operations have required an inordinate share of police resources and manpower. The charges are based on reports and video evidence provided to the SLA by the Albany Police Department documenting six knife assaults, including four stabbings, in addition to two robberies and multiple assaults occurring within the premises. Albany PD responded to calls from victims and medical professionals at the scene, and reported that neither the licensees’ management nor staff contacted the police to report any of the violent incidences or injuries. Albany police additionally documented a series of disturbances, automobile break-ins and acts of vandalism occurring immediately outside the Armory during the evening of March 6, continuing into the early morning hours of March 7th.

“The Armory’s management and security personnel have demonstrated complete ineffectiveness in controlling their crowds, as evidenced by the licensee’s security staff idly looking on as patrons beat and stomped each other in a senseless melee,” said SLA Chairman Dennis Rosen. “Unfortunately, as last weekend’s violencewasn’t an isolated incident, the SLA is compelled to take emergency action today to protect the safety of patrons, police officers and residents.”

The Albany Armory has a recent history of violence, with two separate pending disciplinary matters before the SLA for assaults occurring on January 31, 2015 and January 26, 2014. Additionally, in October 2012, Albany police arrested seven people after a large crowd became disorderly and began fighting with police. During the incident, three officers were injured.

The State Administrative Procedure Act authorizes a State agency to summarily suspend a license when the agency finds that public health, safety, or welfare requires emergency action. When the SLA summarily suspends a license, it also serves a Notice of Pleading alleging one or more disciplinary violations. In invoking a summary suspension, the SLA has deemed the violation, considering each licensee’s disciplinary history, to be sufficiently serious upon initial review to warrant an immediate suspension. The SLA’s decision to summarily suspend a license is not a final determination on the merits of the case. The licensee is entitled to an expedited hearing before an administrative law judge. An order of summary suspension remains in effect until such time as it is modified by the SLA or a reviewing Court.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Student Association-sponsored event open to the community,features free copies of Nye's new book, "Undeniable"

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 12, 2015) – The University at Albany Student Association will host Bill Nye, popularly known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” on March 25 at 5 p.m. in the SEFCU Arena. The event is free and open to the UAlbany community as well as the general public. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

Free copies of Nye's new book Undeniable will be issued to the first 1,000 UAlbany students who walk through the doors. In addition, a limited number of books will be available for the public-at-large upon arrival at SEFCU Arena.

Tickets will be distributed as follows:

·On Thursday, March 12, UAlbany students can pick up tickets in the Campus Center West Lounge, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. A SUNYCard is required for the two ticket maximum per student.

·On Friday, March 13 and then again on Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24, tickets will be available for students and the general public in the Campus Center West Lounge from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a four-ticket maximum.

·On Wednesday, March 25, tickets will be available to the general public and students in the Campus Center West Lounge from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. If any tickets are remaining, they will be distributed in Physical Education (PE) building lobby across from SEFCU Arena beginning at 3 p.m.

Francis Agyemang, president of the University at Albany Student Association said, “We are honored to host Bill Nye at UAlbany. His PBS TV show deserves a lot of credit for getting my generation of college students excited about science.”

Marc Cohen, SA Vice President said, “More than anyone else in public life, Bill Nye makes scientific concepts fun, clear and compelling. We grew up watching him, and we look forward to meeting him in person.”

About Bill Nye

Nye’s Bill Nye the Science Guy television series first aired on Seattle’s public television station, KCTS, and ran on PBS stations nationwide from 1993 to 1998. Exactly 100 episodes addressed topics as diverse as garbage and music, comets and caves, and chemistry and communication. The show received 18 Emmy Awards, with Nye himself taking seven for his various roles as writer, performer and producer. In the years that followed, Nye continued to create and host a number of award-winning science programs for television, including 100 Greatest Discoveries for The Science Channel, Greatest Inventions with Bill Nye for the Discovery Channel, and The Eyes of Nye for PBS. The original show continues to be a hit in syndication to PBS stations, and is widely used by educators in classrooms throughout the world.

Nye is the author of the new book, Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation (November, 2014), edited by Corey S. Powell. A wide-ranging presentation of the evidence that supports the theory of evolution, the new book grew out of a much-publicized debate between Nye and leading Creationist Ken Ham at the Creation Museum in Petersburg Kentucky in February 2014. Narrated with Nye’s trademark clarity, simplicity, enthusiasm and sense of fun, Undeniable demonstrates how organisms evolved and continue to evolve, with examples drawn from agriculture, dog breeding, human courtship, and the fossil record. Nye says in his introductory chapter, “Evolution is one of the most powerful and important ideas ever developed in the history of science. Every question it raises leads to new answers, new discoveries, and new smarter questions. The science of evolution is as expansive as nature itself. It is also the most meaningful creation story that humans have ever found.”

In a review for Scientific American, Joanne Manaster said, “With infectious enthusiasm, Bill Nye showsthat evolution is much more than a rebuttal to creationism; it is an essential way to understand how nature works— and to change the world.” Neil deGrasse Tyson, host of COSMOS on PBS, said, “With his charming, breezy, narrative style, Bill empowers the reader to see the natural world as it is, not as some would wish it to be. He does itright. And, as I expected, he does it best.”

Nye graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to breaking into television, he worked at Boeing, the Seattle-based aircraft manufacturer, where he invented a hydraulic pressureresonance suppressor still in use on 747 jumbo jets. He also got his start in media at Boeing, scripting and starring in training films.

The event is sponsored by the University at Albany Student Association in partnership with the New York State Writers Institute.

The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC), which is responsible for federal transportation funding and programming in the 4-county region of Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties, has announced the schedule for its public information meetings to introduce their new long-range, regional transportation plan, known as New Visions 2040.

CDTC is inviting the public to these meetings to learn about CDTC and what we do, to learn about our New Visions 2040 plan, and to share feedback on the plan. The meetings will consist of a short presentation, followed by a general question & answer session, and then several interactive workstations where the public can ask specific questions and provide specific comments to CDTC staff.

The agenda for all the meetings will be the same. Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of each meeting.

“Transportation and transportation technologies are changing rapidly. Self-driving cars and trucks, smart traffic signals and street lights, and drone freight deliveries are just some of the new technologies for which we must plan,” said Mike Franchini, CDTC Executive Director. “In order to plan for the future transportation system in the Capital Region, CDTC needs and welcomes the community’s input!”

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

District Attorney P. David Soares announced that SCOTT LAW, 37, of Wynantskill, pleaded guilty to (1) Count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Vehicle, a Class E Felony, and (1) Count of Driving While Intoxicated, a Misdemeanor, before the Honorable Stephen W. Herrick in Albany County Court this morning.

On January 1, 2015, at approximately 1:25am, LAW was operating a pick-up truck on Madison Avenue in the City of Albany and struck a taxi minivan, pushing the van in to another moving vehicle. LAW then fled the scene of the crash and crossed the center yellow lines into oncoming traffic, striking five (5) vehicles that were parked along the side of the roadway. LAW then swerved his truck back into westbound lanes and hit two (2) more parked vehicles. LAW then got out of the truck and fled the scene on foot through Washington Park. Members of the Albany Police Department were able to pursue LAW on foot and apprehend him nearby. LAW had physical signs of intoxication, failed several field sobriety tests, and tested positive on an alco-sensor device. At the time of the incident, LAW’s driver’s license was revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles for previous alcohol related convictions.

LAW faces 1 to 3 years in State Prison, in addition to a concurrent 1 year incarceration term for the DWI charge, when sentenced on April 8, 2015.

In addition to his State Prison sentence, LAW must also pay restitution to the victims, pay fines and surcharges, be subject to a driver’s license revocation for a minimum of 6 months subject to Department of Motor Vehicles guidelines, be subject to Ignition Interlock restriction for 1 year, and attend a Victim Impact Panel.

A brand new, cutting-edge scientific instrumentation lab, the SAInT Center provides Siena College students and faculty with access to state-of-the-art facilities for a myriad of applications, including bio-imaging, nanoscale microscopy, proteometrics and environmental analysis.

“The SAInT Center provides Siena students with access to the most modern equipment and technology on the market today,” said School of Science Dean Allan Weatherwax, Ph.D. “Undergraduates at Siena will have the opportunity to use equipment that is usually in the domain of only graduate students, post-docs or medical school students.”

The SAInT Center instruments have been incorporated into relevant academic coursework, exposing Siena students to the latest technology and preparing them for careers in many emerging fields.

“At Siena, students get a more rounded experience. They are able to explore and push their own limits beyond the traditional education for undergraduate students,” said SAInT Center Director Kristopher J. Kolonko, Ph.D.

Along with preparing students for continued success as they continue their education or begin their careers, the SAInT Center will advance Siena College’s academic mission by augmenting existing programs, fostering undergraduate research and supporting the development of a Scientific Technology minor program.

“The SAInT Center is a wonderful new addition to the Siena campus. It will create an environment for the type of experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration that makes a Siena College education unique,” said Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. “The SAInT Center will also strengthen the College’s connections within Tech Valley and beyond. We are grateful to all of the people who made this instrumentation lab come to life.”

The development of the SAInT Center was made possible through a lead gift from the Dake Family and Stewart’s Shops along with generous support from Michael R. O’Leary ’74, M.D., Colleen E. O’Leary, M.D. and The George Alden Trust.

District Attorney P. David Soares announced Tuesday that VINCENT FAULKNER, 33, of Albany, pleaded guilty to (1) Count of Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony, before Honorable Judge Peter A. Lynch in Albany County Court this morning.

During the overnight hours on January 25, 2014, a break in was reported from a home on Third Street in the City of Albany. The victim reported that $1,070.00 worth of property, including cell phones and jewelry, was taken.

The Albany Police Department responded, and was able to collect evidence of blood that was found on a curtain next to a window that was used to gain access to the home. The evidence was sent to the New York State Police Laboratory to be tested.

In 2014, the DNA developed from the crime scene was matched to a profile in the state database of a previously convicted offender. The offender, VINCENT FAULKNER, was convicted of Criminal Contempt in August 2013. Upon his conviction, FAULKNER was mandated to supply his DNA to the database, resulting in the positive hit from the Third Street burglary.

FAULKNER faces 5 years in State Prison, to be followed by 5 years of Post-Release Supervision, when sentenced on May 5, 2015.

ALBANY, N.Y.March 10, 2015 — New York State United Teachers Tuesday applauded the Assembly’s one-house budget bill, saying its education spending and program priorities are closely matched with the needs of students and school districts across the state.

“The Assembly’s education budget — with its proposed $1.8 billion funding increase — is a tremendous statement of support for our state’s already strong public schools,” said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee.

“In its one-house bill, the Assembly and its leadership lay out a budget that reflects their keen understanding of public education; recognizes the importance of investing strongly in universal pre-kindergarten; shows the Assembly’s respect for local control; and acknowledges the funding needs of rural, suburban and urban schools. We must continue to work together to ensure that SUNY, CUNY and our community colleges benefit from a much greater investment by the state.”

NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta said the Assembly’s proposed budget shows its members and leaders have been listening. “Under Speaker Heastie’s leadership, the Assembly has proposed a stellar blueprint for the future — one that will clearly benefit public education. If this proposed budget shows us one thing, it’s that members of the Assembly and its leadership have been attending public forums being held all across the state and have been listening carefully to parents, educators and students. The budget they have crafted reflects the pride that New Yorkers have for their public schools. The ‘people’s house’ has proposed a budget that reflects the concerns and aspirations of the people, not the hedge fund managers who want to control public education.”

New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

Love, Death, and Bingo are the
themes highlighted in the three vignettes that will be presented during the 2nd
annual Dinner Theater sponsored by The Arc of Rensselaer County.Guests will have their choice of attending
the Dinner Theater on the evenings of March 25 or March 26 at Moscatiello’s in
North Greenbush.

Joe Starzyk, local award-winning playwright, wrote the
three vignettes that will be presented.
The first, “Instant Harmony,” is when a lonely romantic allows his best
friend to talk him into letting a computer help him find romance. Surely nothing could go wrong! The second, “Death: Who’s Coming to Dinner”
asks the question, will you be ready when Death comes calling? Will Death be ready for you?. And finally, to round out the evening, “Bingo:
The Last True Blood Sport” is a look behind the cutthroat world of nursing home
Bingo!

“The three short plays are part of a larger
collection of short plays I’ve written. They have been performed in venues all
over the country and soon to be in Europe,” explained Starzyk, who is also
employed with The Arc of Rensselaer County.
He added, “It has been very gratifying to share my passion for
playwriting in a way that has been able to benefit the individuals we serve.”

The Arc of
Rensselaer County is one of the largest employers in Rensselaer County with a
mission to advocate for and provide invaluable resources to nearly 800
individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year, the Agency celebrates its 65th
Anniversary. This Dinner Theater is just
one of several events planned for the year, which will highlight this
milestone.

The cost is
$50 per person and includes four delicious courses prepared by Moscatiello’s
Restaurant, door prizes, and of course the show.

Tova
Industries serves as the presenting sponsor for the event.

To learn more about The Arc of Rensselaer
County or to make your reservations to attend the Dinner Theater, call 518-274-3110
ext. 3028. RSVP deadline for the Dinner
Theater is March 18.